How to Control Ticks Around Your Home and Yard

Controlling tick populations in rural areas is a growing concern among families that have migrated from areas with little or no tick activity. But there are steps you can take to help minimize your tick problem and provide a virtually tick-free environment for you family and pets. The steps below outline what needs to be done...

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Landscaping Plan
• Mulch, Stone, Gravel
• Lawn Mower & Trimmer
• Bags for yard waste

1. LAWN CARE - The first line of defense against ticks in your yard is to keep your lawn manicured. Ticks typically climb a foot or more on tall grass and plants so that they can easily attach to any passing animals. Keeping your grass short will eliminate their prime hunting habitat.

2. SHADE - Ticks thrive in humid, shady areas, but die quickly in sunny and dry environments. Keep areas where children and pets play away from tree lines, stone and cement barriers, and yard edges. Sunny, well groomed areas should be virtually tick free.

3. LANDSCAPING - Create a barrier of wood chips, mulch, stones or gravel around areas that are likely to have ticks (shady areas, flower and vegetable gardens, tree lines and woodsy areas). A barrier of 3 feet or more will prevent most ticks from migrating past them. Let children know that going beyond the barriers may expose them to ticks.

4. PLAY AREAS - Place items such as swing sets and sand boxes in sunny areas. They should be in a bed of mulch and surrounded by a well manicured lawn.

5. YARD UPKEEP - Keep your yard clear of organic clutter such as leaf and brush piles. The ground under bird feeders should be kept clean and firewood should be stacked neatly in a sunny and dry area.

6. CHEMICAL TREATMENT - Pesticides used to kill ticks are commonly called acaricides. Using chemicals to control tick population is an effective tool that can reduce your tick population from 68-100%. The EPA and state governments determine which types of pesticides can be used and you will need to check local regulations on the proper usage.

Tips & Warnings

• Where light colored clothes when working outside to make finding ticks easier
• Where long pants tucked into socks when working outside
• Spray clothes with an insect repellent containing Deet
• When using pesticides be sure to follow all label directions and use in accordance to all local and federal laws

Resources

• CDC Website

[janni]

on 6/21/2009 Thanks for such a great article and for sharing this very important info, since ticks represent a real problem to people, and not only those living in houses but to those living in apartments. Now, I will share this guidelines to friends that have had this problem...Thumbs Up!